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32nd out of 44 books
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Sexual Perversity in Chicago & The Duck Variations
by
David Mamet
The Duck Variations is a dialogue between two old men sitting on a park bench. The conversation turns to the mating habits of ducks, but soon begins to reveal their feelings about natural law, friendship, and death. New York magazine has called The Duck Variations “a gorgeously written, wonderfully observant piece whose timing and atmosphere are close to flawless.”
paper, 128 pages
Published
January 31st 1994
by Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
(first published 1977)
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The opening sequence of Sexual Perversity in Chicago is quite hilarious, but after that nothing else really is (in either play). Nothing else is really all that good either. Sexual Perversity feels extremely tired out and predictable. It's about two guys and two gals who are in various relationships (sometimes with each other). The guys talk about sex and their feelings (definitely in that order), and the gals talk about their feelings. The show is just very male. Hey, no problem, but, no, there...more
I was, for some unknown reason, moved by and sort of obsessed with the film "About Last Night" when I was a kid. For better or worse (probably worse), this flawed but still unique and underrated Brat-Packer film, set in 80's Chicago - shaped my ideas of adult sexuality. The way Demi Moore (flat as an IRONING BOARD in her many nude scenes, by the way) and Rob Lowe (oh-so teen-vampire-hot in this era, even tho in this movie he doesn't wear the little dangly cross earring from "St. E...more
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I loved this play when I read it in high school. That we were able to read something that was this edgy was something we teenagers liked a lot. This also was a nice follow-up to Mamet's American Buffalo, which I had read previously (of course, Mamet wrote it after).
A few years later the Brat Pack starred in something that was based on this play, but it was a shell of this wonderful work.
A few years later the Brat Pack starred in something that was based on this play, but it was a shell of this wonderful work.
I directed this play in college. I was a theatre major and the title alone pulled the audience in. Sexual Perversity is from before Mamet got famous. Back then he was just another playwright with Harold Pinter in his blood. But God, what dialogue that man writes. And he's also a pretty good director. Go see State and Main or The Spanish Prisoner. Or read this "perverse" play from the seventies.
Gerard
added it
Sexual Perversity in Chicago is a play with gritty dialogue and drama that gets straight to the point with plenty of room room for moments of off-beat humor. Overall, a wonderful play.
The Duck Variations is a slice of life play with moments of thought-provoking existentialism. This play is my play of preference between the two plays.
The Duck Variations is a slice of life play with moments of thought-provoking existentialism. This play is my play of preference between the two plays.
It's amazing to consider how they stripped this play in order to make the Rob Lowe/Demi Moore movie, About Last Night. The play is darkly funny and pulls absolutely no punches, but there's definitely something there.
Duck Variations didn't do much for me, as it felt one note and too simple.
Duck Variations didn't do much for me, as it felt one note and too simple.
This was my first exposure to David Mamet. Great dialogue but lacks the punch of DM's later work.
My favorite is Sexual Perversity in Chicago. It's like the original "Swingers". Love it.
Sexual Perversity: 3.5 stars
Duck Variations: 4.5 stars
Duck Variations: 4.5 stars
Only reading "the Duck Variation" by recomendation from a former teacher.
Interesting play
The Duck Variations isn’t so much a play as a series of scenes, but they’re brilliant. Two old men watch ducks in the park and argue about death, purpose, friendship, and the meaning of life. Mamet’s inimitable dialogue (uncharacteristically vulgarity-free) makes the Variations a real treat. The only edition I could find came bound with Sexual Perversity in Chicago. On balance, it's worth the embarrassment of having the title on your bookshelf.
This was the first play I ever worked on in NY when I was in class. I was nineteen and so in love with my scene partner I could barely look at anyone else when he was in the room. Oh, back to the play S. P is a must read for any actor and the subject matter is something we can all relate to.. and its penned by David Mamet!!! Does not get better than that
I ganked this copy from a roomate on accident and enjoyed both of these plays although I'm still haven't jumped on the Mamet bandwagon. Sexual Perversity suffers from it's attempt at conveying real male speech. The open ended philosophical ramblings of Duck Variations is occasionaly engaging but often comes off as Beckett Jr.
Sexual Perversity is hilarious, strongly worded (duh), and scathing in it's own way. The Duck Variations is not the best Mamet play but it is still readable. Perhaps if the plays were presented in opposite order...
Going to be fun directing 14 year old girls in duck variations. Just want them to know there is more to theatre than the libretto of "Wicked", which a couple of them carry around like a bible.
The Duck Variations is probably one of my favorite plays. It's like Waiting for Godot, but with more randomness and less depression.
I'm really not a huge Mamet fan. And frankly, I was disappointed not to encounter some real sexual perversity here.
This is one of those rare cases when the movie (About Last Night) was leaps and bounds better than the play/book
but the duck variations and only read by an old/young man on the backporch at sunset.
I didn't read Sexual Perversion in Chicago, but The Duck Variations is one of my favorite plays
the duck variations is better than the title piece, though that one has its charms too.
Gosh Mamet is a miserable jerk! But he can really write despicable characters.
I only read Sexual Perversity, but whatever. Indifferent reaction.
Both plays moved me greatly. I just couldn't begin to explain why.
i don't give a shit about mamet. there. i said it.
Hilarious and still holds up very well
Liked second play better.
Two of Mamet's best plays!
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David Alan Mamet is an American author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter and film director. His works are known for their clever, terse, sometimes vulgar dialogue and arcane stylized phrasing, as well as for his exploration of masculinity.
As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nomina...more
More about David Mamet...
As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nomina...more
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